River Palace Hotel

I want to be as gracious as I can, but I think it’s fair to say that this is not a four star hotel. I don’t want to be arrogant, but as someone who has travelled 100 days a year on average for a decade all over the world and understanding STP is a popular international city with two taxes for tourism, the standards expected of four stars should be much higher - obviously. I have seen many many hotels across the world and I’m struggling to understand how this is rated a four star. Let’s get to it and for examples: the shower itself is not a standalone. It’s in the tub and that’s fine but if you’re going to invest in just having a shower in a tub as a hotel of four stars, you should have a good showerhead and this was the poorest showerhead I have had with the weakest water pressure in all of Russia over the last 40 days from coast to coast. Also, upon arrival off the train that arrived at 6 a.m. and with nothing opening up in St. Petersburg until 10 or 11 on average something, nine o’clock if going to the Peterhof, the reception has all the time in the world to educate us on things in the vicinity. They did not even offer to share with us that there are boat tours on the river a mere 150 meters away from the hotel. Strange. Rude. And well, the staff at the reception desk are not unkind or unhelpful but they are also not very trained or willing to assist or value that they are in the hospitality industry. Not a four star worthy effort. Being warmly greeted and informed of river cruise/tour boats outside of the hotel door, would be a good start. Please note that every place that claims to be a four-star and likely every room may having a balcony I suspect, but not every balcony is equal. Some have just enough room to smoke and stand. Others have enough space for a couple to sit on chairs. To further extend expectations for travellers, the price point of this hotel should not just have instant coffee in the room. Lastly, I understand that many people have raved about the breakfast here but it truly it is nothing exceptional whatsoever. You’ll get yo ur fill, surely, as it does offer a selection that one can choose from for this or that, but it is far from anything out of the ordinary, and I think these comments may just be a sell job by friends and family or farmed out and sold to hired agents, as that’s common these days. For example there was one single choice of bread, white bread, a four star hotel with a breakfast to rave about would have at least two choices of bread for toasting. Fruit choice was minimal. At least when i was eating. And at the end of the day, it’s got choices but is completely average in every way. Location is good. And it is certainly a popular hotel at least in the summer on the weekend as it was humming. But I don’t get it. Should be classified a three star all considered. Finally, the linen and pillows are very comfortable and wifi better than many in Russia. And remember to have a bath in a good size tub instead of shower for 20 minutes under low pressure. To summarize, it is not worth its price point or a four star rating. Hope this helps some travellers regarding expectations.